City assessor: Beacon assessment notices go out around May 1; average residential assessments up about 5%

Kathy Martin, Beacon’s city assessor, briefed the council on the tentative assessment roll and the upcoming grievance process. Martin said the city assesses properties at 100% of market value and expects to mail property-change notices around May 1. “The average increase in the city of Beacon was approximately 5% for residential properties,” she told the council.

Martin explained the timeline and appeals: March 1 is the exemption deadline and taxable status date; the city mails change-of-assessment notices around May 1 and the fourth Wednesday in May is grievance day when the grievance board hears challenges. She described the three valuation approaches—sales-comparison (residential focus), income (commercial), and cost (new construction)—and noted that ordinary maintenance is excluded from the ordinance’s definition of an alteration.

Martin said property owners who disagree with their assessed value can make an appointment with the assessor’s office, attempt to reach an agreement before grievance day, or file for grievance and, for commercial properties, follow a tax-certiorari route to Dutchess County Supreme Court. She emphasized that a uniform increase across all parcels does not change a property owner’s share of the tax levy, which is driven by adopted municipal budgets.

Martin also said vacant land assessments rose about 7% and that commercial properties are handled on a case-by-case basis. The council asked staff to publish clear notice and consider an FAQ to reduce homeowner confusion.